Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1887-07-29
Political Events of 1887.
If this were not the wear preceding

If this were not the year preceding
the one in which occurs the great
ouadrennial contest for the Presi-
dency it would have little interest
politically speaking. In only few
States will there be elections for State
officers and members of the Leglsla.
ture, and only three or four of these
will possess a National interest. Five
States will choose Governors-Mas-
sachusetts, Ohio, Iowa, Kentucky
and Maryland. The avowed purpose
of the Democratic Mug wump alliance
to try and carry Massachusetts, and
so give Free Trade and the Cleve-
land boom lift will lend an unusual
animation to the canvass in that
State.
The Kentucky State campaign is
already under way, the election oc-
curing at the usually early date of
August l. The Republicans are
making praiseworthy fight under
the lead of candidate Bradley. The
Prohibitionists, the Labor element,
the shaun eful mismanagement of the
finances and the confessed inability
of the Democratic Governor to pro-
tect the lives and property of the peo-
pie would in almost any State except
Kentucky make Democratic success
uncertain. But in the most illiterate
State in the Union the probability of
overcoming q Bourbon majority of
A, 434 is confessedly not very prom
ising. The three other States which
will choose Governors are Ohio, Iowa
and Maryland. The only change
probable in the first is the reelection
of Governor Foraker by an increased
majority. In Iowa the re nomination
and reelection of Governor Larrabee
appear certain, the refusal of the La
Dor party to form an alliance remov-
ing all possibility of Democratic sue
cess while in Maryland the reform
movement, although proceeding
steadily, is not strong enough as yet
to defeat Senator Gormon's machine.
On account of the biennial session
system which prevails in a great ma
jority Of the States, 1881 will be
nearly barren of legislative elections.
But Massachusetts,, New York, New
Jersey, Ohio, Iowa, Kentucky and
Virginia will choose new Legislatures
either wholly or in part. Governor
Hill's desire in New York to have a
Democratic State Senate to confirm
his nominations to Office will add zest
to the legislative contests in that
State. But the chief interest will be
shown in those States where the in.
coming Legislatures will elect United
States Senators. This occurs in only
three States, Iowa, Kentucky and
Virginia. The Republicans are reas-
onably sure of controlling the Sena.
torial succession in Iowa, as the
Democrats are in Kentucky, but the
situation is not so clear in Virginia.
The imbecility shown by the Demo
Gratis in managing the State debt
question and their defeat by 10000
majority last Fall have certainly dark.
ened their prospects, but whether the
Republicans are in position to take
advantage of the situation has yet to
be shown.
New York and Pennsylvania will
also elect minor State officers, which
will compel the calling of State Con-
ventions and the waging of State
canyasses If the submission of pro.
hibitory constitutional amendments
to vote of the people in Texas in
August, in Tennessee in September,
and in Oregon in November, be added,
general survey of political contests
of 1887 will be had.-Philadelphia
Droce